BTO Blog | BTO - British Trust for Ornithology

Skip to main content

RSS BTO Blog

Our blog offers specialist insight and unique perspective from a wide range of BTO staff, volunteers and guest writers, giving context and inviting discussion on various aspects of our work. It includes:

A series of important posts by BTO Youth.
Updates on how the latest tagged cuckoos are faring as they migrate to and from Africa.
How our latest strategy plays a crucial role in tackling the twin biodiversity and climate crises.
Reflections on our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusivity.

Blogs on specific topics

Demography Blog

The Demog blog covers all things realting to the study of the characteristics of populations, such as size, growth, density, distribution, and vital statistics.

BirdTrack Migration Blog

During the months when migration is at its peak, the migblog will predict which species you may see in the coming week and where best to look for migrant birds.

BTO Youth Blog

The Youth blog gives a voice to the young people we work and engage with across the UK, covering programmes of work, events, opinion pieces and interviews.

Guillemots, Shags and Kittiwakes at a breeding colony, by Katherine Hampton

Featured blog post

The next generation of seabird champions

17 May 2024

Recipients of our seabird ringing grant volunteered with the Grampian Ringing Group last summer and shared their amazing experiences with us.

Blog Series

Dotterel, by Edmund Fellowes / BTO

BirdTrack migration blog (17–23 May)

The long-range forecast for the next week predicts a northerly airflow, so it will be a challenging time for any birds heading into it, and for migration enthusiasts too as it will be much quieter.

17 May 2024

Gull-billed Tern, by Philip Croft / BTO

BirdTrack migration blog (10–16 May)

Spring migration in the Northern Isles really did step up a gear last week and it is difficult to imagine it getting any better but they, and the east coast, could be in for more of the same this week. The long-range forecast is predicting an easterly airflow throughout the week, from as far away as Moscow at times.

10 May 2024

Cuckoo, by Edmund Fellowes / BTO

Our Cuckoo tracking journey

Senior Research Ecologist Chris Hewson reflects on 13 years of catching and tagging Cuckoos, and why it’s vital that the project continues.

09 May 2024

Sanderling, by Edmund Fellowes / BTO

BirdTrack migration blog (3–9 May)

During the last week, the weather across the Iberian Peninsula has been pretty tumultuous at times. Strong winds, relatively cold temperatures and heavy rain have all featured, and bird migration has slowed to a trickle.

03 May 2024

Swifts, by Philip Croft / BTO

BirdTrack migration blog (26 April–2 May)

Last week’s blog predicted the possible early arrival of Bee-eaters in the UK. Sadly, the only individual recorded was a bird found dead in a Dorset garden. Continuing the theme, Bee-eaters are still moving in strength through southern Europe. The weather forecast for the next week promises favourable conditions for the arrival of birds from the south and south-east, and Bee-eaters are likely to be among them.

26 Apr 2024

Global Intergenerational Week at BTO

BTO Youth Rep Socks reflects on the importance of intergenerational relationships for creating connections with nature.

24 Apr 2024

Hoopoe, by Edmund Fellowes / BTO

BirdTrack migration blog (19–26 April)

Mid April to mid May sees spring migration hit its peak, but the exact timing is very much dependent on the weather.

19 Apr 2024

International Women’s Day at BTO

Celebrating International Women’s Day

BTO Youth discuss the theme for IWD 20204, ‘Inspire Inclusion’, and the findings from a BTO workshop they held about women in ornithology.

08 Mar 2024

Song Thrush, by Scott Mayson / BTO

BirdTrack migration blog – early spring

It may still feel like winter but for some species, the increasing temperatures and lengthening days have already kick-started spring migration, with birds starting to arrive and depart across Britain and Ireland.

01 Mar 2024

Youth in Nature Summit 2024, by Alicia Hayden

Youth in Nature Summit 2024 – more than we hoped for

Read how dedicated volunteers, speakers and partners all came together to make this an incredible second Summit.

28 Feb 2024

Natterer’s Bat, by Chris Damant / Bernwood Ecology

Unlocking the secrets of European bats with the BTO Acoustic Pipeline

Discover the groundbreaking work of our bat acoustics specialist, Stuart Newson, as he unveils his cutting-edge research on bat social calls and feeding buzzes.

05 Feb 2024

A blog for World Wetlands Day 2024, on 2 February.

The value of wetlands for our mental health

With so many stories about the climate and biodiversity crises, immersing ourselves in nature gives us a sense of optimism and hope, and helps us to continue our work to help secure the future of birds in the UK.

02 Feb 2024

Young Leaders Course 2021, by BTO Youth

BTO’s Youth Engagement: nothing about us, without us

Former BTO Youth Representative Keir writes about what BTO Youth has meant to him.

19 Jan 2024

Herring Gull, by Edmund Fellowes / BTO

Sharing our gull tracking expertise in a study of Dublin’s ‘noisy neighbours’

PhD student Jon Willans takes us through his fascination with gulls and his fieldwork, which was supported by our scientists.

15 Dec 2023

Goldeneye, by Sarah Kelman / BTO

BirdTrack migration blog (winter 2023/24)

Winter is often regarded as the season when nature sleeps - but the cold months can be an excellent time for birding.

08 Dec 2023

Stock Dove, by Liz Cutting / BTO

BirdTrack migration blog (end of October to mid November)

Even as we reach the beginning of November, autumn migration is still very evident. Birds continue to arrive in the UK from more northerly regions to spend the next few months here in our warmer winters, before departing again next spring.

03 Nov 2023

Coal Tit, by Liz Cutting / BTO

BirdTrack migration blog (27 October–2 November)

Storm Babet battered much of the country at the end of last week, bringing high winds, torrential rain and flooding to many areas. These same high winds did produce a good number of seabirds along the eastern coasts, though, especially in Scotland and northern England.

27 Oct 2023

Waxwing, by Liz Cutting / BTO

BirdTrack migration blog (20–26 October)

With a chill to the morning air, bushes laden with fruit, and the rich colours of autumn leaves, October is a feast for the senses – and as the autumnal equinox recedes, migration takes on a distinctly wintery feel.

20 Oct 2023

Arctic Skua migration: stories from the field

Where do Arctic Skuas go when they are not in Scotland? Helen and David Aiton take us through their fieldwork seasons for BTO’s Arctic Skua tracking project, which has followed these fascinating birds across both hemispheres and back.

13 Oct 2023

Arctic Skua, by Gerald Corsi

The astonishing migration of Scotland’s Arctic Skuas

BTO Senior Research Ecologist Nina O’Hanlon explores the fascinating findings of the Arctic Skua tracking project.

13 Oct 2023

Pages

Related content

Tagged Lesser Black-backed Gull. Gary Clewley

Bird tracking

Phil Atkinson explains the technology behind tracking.

Biodiversity loss and the UK’s birds

Biodiversity loss is one of the biggest drivers of bird population declines in the UK. Learn what we’re doing to tackle this threat to nature and how you can support our work.

Bewick's Swan. Chris Knights

BTO Data Reports

Our reports provide rigorous scientific information to inform Environmental Impact Assessments in the UK.